Iraq after the Muslim Conquest - Michael G. Morony

PEOPLE

Although this meant change for Iraq, it meant continuity among the
immigrant Arab population itself. Again, the importance of reinforce-
ment for cultural continuity can be seen in the way the Islamic religious
sanction of tribal social ethics encouraged the preservation of aspects
of tribal life in the organization of cities and armies and in individual
behavior. The effect this had on the non-Arab population of Iraq also
demonstrates the importance of reinforcement as a factor for successful
change, since the Islamic faith provided or sanctioned the cultural
alternatives introduced by the Arabs.